If you really want to start from seeds, and most people I talk to do, give them a day's soaking in water to soften them before planting. They should germinate in about 3 to 4 weeks.

As you might have gathered by now, I'm no purist in my gardening habits. Expediency and certainty are more important to me, so I get seedlings from the local nursery and go from there.

Also, with parsley,I plant every year. They say it's biennial but, to me,parsley never seems to taste the same the second year, and, after all, it's pretty easy to grow.

Anyway, plant the seedlings in early spring, after the frosts, about 9" apart in slightly alkaline, good draining soil. Pick a spot that has some shade.

Harvesting is a snip (forgive me). Just snip off what you need for a meal and the rest of plant will continue to grow. About 6 plants (planted at one time in spring) do me for the season.